Portable information terminal equipment

ABSTRACT

Portable information terminal equipment having a function to perform the informing process at the time of reception in cooperation with a connecting section driving mechanism as well as a function to enable the open/close movement of the upper and lower units through one-touch operation making use of the connecting section driving mechanism. Depending on informing modes, a motor drive circuit drives a motor under the control of a controller on receipt of a call or a message to apply a driving force to the open/close mechanism of a hinge unit. Thereby, the portable information terminal equipment is folded/unfolded, that is, the posture of the portable information terminal equipment is changed, and a user is informed of the receipt of the call or the message. Besides, the portable information terminal equipment performs conventional informing processes, such as ringing, light emitting, message or image display and the like, in combination with the open/close or rotative operation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable information terminal equipmentcomprised of two units coupled to one another such as a folding cellularphone.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Folding cellular phones have been in widespread use. A general foldingcellular phone is comprised of an upper unit having a display, etc. anda lower unit having an operating section, etc., which are rotationallyconnected to each other with a hinge so as to be foldable (openable andclosable). Besides, there has been proposed a folding cellular phoneprovided with a hinge driving mechanism. The folding cellular phone hasa built-in hinge driving mechanism including a motor and the like toenable the opening/closing or rotational movement of the upper and lowerunits round the axis of a hinge unit.

The aforementioned folding cellular phone with a hinge driving mechanismhas a switch to drive the motor for opening/closing the upper and lowerunits so that a user can open/close the units at the flip of the switch.However, the functions of the folding cellular phone have not been fullydeveloped, and the cellular phone is insufficient in usability and thelike. Much the same is true for various portable information terminals,having two bodies (units) connected to one another by means other than ahinge.

On the other hand, portable information terminal equipment such as afolding cellular phone informs a user of the receipt of a call or ane-mail message, etc. in a prescribed manner, as for example by a ringtone, flashing lights, vibrations, and a display of characters orimages.

There is found folding portable communication equipment having an upperbody and a lower body, which are immediately opened when receiving atransmission in Japanese Patent Application laid open No. 2002-281116.In the folding portable communication equipment, when a receptiondetecting means detects the receipt of a transmission, a control meanscontrols a drive means to open the upper and lower bodies. However, thefolding portable communication equipment does not perform the informingprocess at the time of reception in cooperation with the drive means toimprove usability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide portableinformation terminal equipment comprised of an upper unit and a lowerunit which are rotationally connected to each other with a connectingsection such as a hinge, including a connecting section drivingmechanism such as a hinge driving mechanism for driving the connectingsection, and having a function to perform the informing process at thetime of reception in cooperation with the connecting section drivingmechanism as well as a function to enable the open/close movement of theupper and lower units through one-touch operation making use of theconnecting section driving mechanism, thus improving the usability andconvenience of users.

In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, to achievethe above object, there is provided portable information terminalequipment comprising: two units; a connecting section for connecting thetwo units with each other for relative movement; a connecting sectiondriving mechanism for changing the relative positions of the two unitsto open/close the units; and a controller for controlling the connectingsection driving mechanism to move either or both the units so that theyare located in prescribed relative positions when receiving a call or amessage to thereby inform a user of the receipt of the call or themessage.

In this construction, the two units are automatically arranged inprescribed relative positions on receipt of a call or a message, whichenables a user to be informed of the receipt of the call or the message.

Incidentally, examples of the connecting section include, but are notlimited to a hinge unit, a slide structure and a rotative connector.

In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided portable information terminal equipment comprising: two units;a connecting section for connecting the two units with each other forrelative movement; a connecting section driving mechanism for changingthe relative positions of the two units to open/close the units; and acontroller for controlling the connecting section driving mechanism tomove either or both the units so that they are located in prescribedrelative positions when receiving a call or a message based oninformation about the sender of the call or the message (senderinformation) and/or the received message (received message information)to thereby inform a user of the receipt of the call or the message.

With this construction, it is possible to automatically arrange the twounits in prescribed relative positions on receipt of a call or a messageaccording to the sender information (sender address, etc.) and/orreceived message information (priority, specific keyword, etc.).

In accordance with the third aspect of the present invention, in thefirst or second aspect, the controller provides open/close operationcontrol so that the two units are located in prescribed relativepositions when an incoming call is not answered or acknowledged.

With this construction, it is possible to indicate an unacknowledgedcall by moving the two units into prescribed relative positions.

In accordance with the fourth aspect of the present invention, in one ofthe first to third aspects, the portable information terminal equipmentfurther comprises a detector for detecting the placed condition of theequipment, and the controller provides open/close operation controlbased on the placed condition of the equipment detected by the detector.

In this construction, the detector detects the placed condition of theportable information terminal equipment, as for example that theequipment is laid on a desk in closed condition. Thus, it is possible toautomatically arrange the two units in prescribed relative positionsaccording to the placed condition of the portable information terminalequipment.

In accordance with the fifth aspect of the present invention, in one ofthe second to fourth aspects, the portable information terminalequipment further comprises a setting interface for registering usersettings with respect to the sender information, received messageinformation and the relative positions of the two units, and thecontroller provides open/close operation control in a manner so as tochange the relative positions of the units when receiving a call or amessage based on the user settings.

In this construction, the portable information terminal equipment isprovided with means for allowing each user to register settings withrespect to the association between each sender or the type of a receivedmessage (priority) and the relative positions of the two units. Thus, itis possible to inform a user of the receipt of a call or a message byarranging the two units in prescribed relative positions according toindividual settings determined by the user.

In accordance with the sixth aspect of the present invention, in one ofthe first to fifth aspects, the two units repeatedly open/close atprescribed intervals under the control of the controller.

With this construction, it is possible to inform a user of the receiptof a call or a message not only by arranging the two units in prescribedrelative positions but also by making the two units repeatedlyopen/close (move to and from the prescribed relative positions) duringthe informing period.

In accordance with the seventh aspect of the present invention, in oneof the first to sixth aspects, the portable information terminalequipment further comprises a battery state detector for detectingwhether or not a battery, which is a power supply for driving theequipment, is being charged and/or the remaining amount of charge in thebattery, and the controller effects control of the connecting sectiondriving mechanism based on the result of the detection by the batterystate detector.

With this construction, it is possible to control the connecting sectiondriving mechanism based on whether or not a battery is being charged andthe remaining amount of charge in the battery.

In accordance with the eighth aspect of the present invention, in one ofthe first to seventh aspects, when an incoming call is not answered oracknowledged, the two units are arranged in prescribed relativepositions according to the number of unacknowledged calls (unattendedreceipt of calls) from the same sender during a prescribed time periodunder the control of the controller.

With this construction, it is possible to indicate unacknowledged callsaccording to the number of unacknowledged calls from the same senderduring a prescribed time period.

In accordance with the ninth aspect of the present invention, in one ofthe first to eighth aspects, the connecting section has a slidestructure including slide rails set on one of the units and slide partsset on the other unit in sliding engagement with the slide rails, andthe connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positionsof the two units by sliding the unit having the slide parts along theslide rails.

In accordance with the tenth aspect of the present invention, in one ofthe first to eighth aspects, the connecting section rotatably supportsthe two units on a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to adisplay surface, and the connecting section driving mechanism changesthe relative positions of the two units by rotating either or both theunits on the rotation axis.

In accordance with the eleventh aspect of the present invention, thereis provided portable information terminal equipment comprising: upperand lower units coupled to one another by a hinge unit; a hinge drivingmechanism for changing the relative positions of the upper and lowerunits by rotating either or both the units; and a controller forcontrolling the hinge driving mechanism to move (open/close or rotate)the upper and/or lower unit(s) so that they are located at a prescribedangle to each other when receiving a call or a message to thereby informa user of the receipt of the call or the message.

In this construction, the upper and lower units are automaticallyarranged in prescribed positions so that they are located at aprescribed angle to each other on receipt of a call or a message, whichenables a user to be informed of the receipt of the call or the message.

In accordance with the twelfth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided portable information terminal equipment comprising: upper andlower units coupled to one another by a hinge unit; a hinge drivingmechanism for changing the relative positions of the upper and lowerunits by rotating either or both the units; and a controller forcontrolling the hinge driving mechanism to move (open/close or rotate)the upper and/or lower unit(s) so that they are located at a prescribedangle to each other when receiving a call or a message based oninformation about the sender of the call or the message (senderinformation) and/or the received message (received message information)to thereby inform a user of the receipt of the call or the message.

With this construction, it is possible to automatically arrange theupper and lower units in prescribed positions according to the senderinformation (sender address, etc.) and/or received message information(priority, specific keyword, etc.) on receipt of a call or a message sothat they are located at a prescribed angle to each other.

In accordance with the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, inthe eleventh or twelfth aspect, the controller provides open/close(rotation) operation control so that the upper and lower units arelocated at a prescribed angle to each other when an incoming call is notanswered or acknowledged.

With this construction, it is possible to indicate an unacknowledgedcall by automatically moving either or both the upper and lower units sothat they are located at a prescribed angle to each other.

In accordance with the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, inone of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, the portable informationterminal equipment further comprises a detector for detecting the placedcondition of the equipment, and the controller provides open/close(rotation) operation control based on the placed condition of theequipment detected by the detector.

In this construction, the detector detects the placed condition of theportable information terminal equipment, as for example that theequipment is laid on a desk in closed condition. Thus, it is possible toautomatically move either or both the upper and lower units according tothe placed condition of the portable information terminal equipment sothat they are located at a prescribed angle to each other.

In accordance with the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in oneof the twelfth to fourteenth aspects, the portable information terminalequipment further comprises a setting interface for registering usersettings with respect to open/close positions (angles formed between theupper and lower units) associated with the sender information and/orreceived message information, and the controller controls the hingedriving mechanism in a manner so as to change the angle formed betweenthe upper and lower units when receiving a call or a message based onthe user settings.

In this construction, the portable information terminal equipment isprovided with means for allowing each user to register settings withrespect to the association between each sender or the type of a receivedmessage (priority) and the open/close position. Thus, it is possible toinform a user of the receipt of a call or a message by moving either orboth the upper and lower units according to individual settingsdetermined by the user so that they are located at a prescribed angle toeach other.

In accordance with the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in oneof the eleventh to fifteenth aspects, the upper and lower unitsrepeatedly open/close at prescribed intervals under the control of thecontroller.

With this construction, it is possible to inform a user of the receiptof a call or a message not only by rotating the upper and lower units sothat they are located at a prescribed angle to each other but also byrepeatedly opening/closing the units (by repeatedly rotating the unitsprescribed degrees back and forth) during the informing period.

As set forth hereinabove, in accordance with the present invention, thetwo units are arranged in prescribed relative positions when receiving acall or a message to thereby inform a user of the receipt of the call orthe message. Thus, it is possible to improve the usability andconvenience of the user.

Moreover, even if the portable information terminal equipment is foldedwhen receiving a call or a message, the two units are arranged inprescribed relative positions so as to be open. Consequently, it ispossible to inform a user of the receipt of the call or the messageeffectively making use of a speaker and a display located on the insidesurface (display surface) of the upper unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention will become moreapparent from the consideration of the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a foldingcellular phone with a hinge driving mechanism according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the foldingcellular phone with a hinge driving mechanism depicted in FIG. 1 incall/mail receive informing mode;

FIG. 3 shows examples of open/close operation setting information forthe folding cellular phone depicted in FIG. 1 in call/mail receiveinforming mode, in which FIG. 3( a) is a table showing an associationbetween sender information and open/close positions (open/close angles)and FIG. 3( b) is a table showing an association between receivedmessage information and open/close positions;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the folding cellular phone with a hinge drivingmechanism depicted in FIG. 1 showing examples of open/close positions;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the foldingcellular phone with a hinge driving mechanism depicted in FIG. 1 inbattery state informing mode;

FIG. 6 shows examples of open/close operation setting information forthe folding cellular phone depicted in FIG. 1 in battery state informingmode;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the foldingcellular phone with a hinge driving mechanism depicted in FIG. 1 inunacknowledged call informing mode;

FIG. 8 shows examples of open/close operation setting information forthe folding cellular phone depicted in FIG. 1 in unacknowledged callinforming mode;

FIG. 9 is an exterior view of a sliding cellular phone in open conditionaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exterior view of the sliding cellular phone depicted inFIG. 9 in closed condition;

FIG. 11 shows examples of open/close operation setting information forthe sliding cellular phone depicted in FIG. 9 in call/mail receiveinforming mode;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the sliding cellular phone depicted in FIG. 9showing examples of open/close positions;

FIG. 13 is an exterior view of a turning cellular phone in opencondition according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an exterior view of the turning cellular phone depicted inFIG. 13 in closed condition;

FIG. 15 shows examples of open/close operation setting information forthe turning cellular phone depicted in FIG. 13 in call/mail receiveinforming mode; and

FIG. 16 is an overhead view of the turning cellular phone depicted inFIG. 13 showing examples of open/close positions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, a description of a preferred embodimentof the present invention will be given in detail.

First, a description will be made of the case where the presentinvention is applied to a folding cellular phone with a hinge drivingmechanism.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a foldingcellular phone with a hinge driving mechanism according to an embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining theoperation of the folding cellular phone with a hinge driving mechanismin call/mail receive informing mode.

The folding cellular phone according to this embodiment is provided witha hinge driving mechanism to enable the opening/closing movement ofupper and lower units through one-touch operation. The upper and lowerunits of the folding cellular phone automatically open/close or rotatewhen receiving a call, a message or the like to inform a user of thereceipt of the call or the message, thereby improving the usability andconvenience of users. In the case, for example, where the foldingcellular phone receives a transmission when its body is in foldedcondition, the hinge driving mechanism rotates the upper and/or lowerunits so as to unfold the body. Thus, a user is informed as to thereceipt of the transmission. The hinge driving mechanism may rotate(open/close) the upper and/or lower units when receiving a call, amessage, etc. based on information about the sender of the call or themessage (sender information) and/or the received message (receivedmessage information).

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the folding cellular phone with a hingedriving mechanism of this embodiment comprises an upper unit 100, alower unit 200 and a hinge unit 300. The hinge unit 300 rotatablyconnects the edges of the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200. Theupper unit 100 has electrical interconnection with the lower unit 200via FPC, etc. running through the hinge unit 300.

The upper unit 100 includes a display 101, a speaker 102, an informingspeaker 103 and a light sensor 104. The display 101, speaker 102, andinforming speaker 103 are disposed on the display surface (insidesurface) of the upper unit 100, and the light sensor 104 is disposed onthe reverse (outside surface).

The display 101 consists of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD)having a rectangular shape, and displays a wide variety of informationand images such as incoming call information. The speaker 102 outputsthe voice of a calling party during a conversation on the foldingcellular phone. The informing speaker 103 outputs, for example, a melodysignaling an incoming call.

The light sensor 104 is a unit for detecting the placed condition of thefolding cellular phone. More specifically, the light sensor 104 detectswhether or not the folding cellular phone is placed on a horizontalplane such as the top of a desk to determine if it is possible orappropriate to open/close the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200.Incidentally, other sensors may be used for detecting the placedcondition of the folding cellular phone, the light sensor being givenonly as an example.

The lower unit 200 includes a controller 201, a motor drive circuit 202,a motor 203, a memory 204, a radio section 205, a transmission/receptioncircuit 206, a microphone 207, an operation/input section 208, a lightsensor 209, a battery state detector 210, and a battery 211.

The operation/input section 208 and the microphone 207 are disposed onthe operation surface (inside surface) of the lower unit 200, and thelight sensor 209 is disposed on the reverse (outside surface).

The operation/input section 208 is provided with operation keys andswitches or buttons as an interface for inputting data or information touse various functions available in the folding cellular phone. A userinputs sender information and received message information, registersuser settings with respect to the relative positions of the upper andlower units, and switches informing modes with the operation/inputsection 208. Examples of informing modes include, but are not limited tocall/mail receive informing mode, battery state informing mode andunacknowledged call informing mode.

The microphone 207 is a voice input section used when talking on thefolding cellular phone.

The light sensor 209 disposed on the reverse surface of the lower unit200 is a sensor for detecting the placed condition of the foldingcellular phone as with the light sensor 104 of the upper unit 100. Thecontroller 201 judges the placed condition of the folding cellular phonebased on the result of detection by the light sensors 104 and 209.

Besides, there is a battery chamber (not shown) for accommodating thebattery 211 on the reverse surface of the lower unit 200. The battery211, which is a power supply for driving the folding cellular phone, isoriented in the battery chamber in a prescribed direction.

The controller 201, motor drive circuit 202, motor 203, memory 204,radio section 205, transmission/reception circuit 206, and battery statedetector 210 are disposed inside the lower unit 200.

The controller 201 controls the respective sections of the foldingcellular phone. The display 101, informing speaker 103, light sensor104, motor drive circuit 202, memory 204, radio section 205,operation/input section 208, light sensor 209, battery state detector210, an open/close switch 301 and the like are connected to thecontroller 201.

The radio section 205 is a circuit for transmitting/receiving radiosignals to/from radio base stations via a communications antenna tocarry out processes such as the detection of receipt of an incoming callor data (an e-mail message, etc.). The transmission/reception circuit206 transmits/receives audio signals to/from radio base stations duringa conversation on the folding cellular phone. The transmission/receptioncircuit 206 converts voice input through the microphone 207 into voicesignals. In addition, the transmission/reception circuit 206 convertsvoice signals into voice, and outputs the voice through the speaker 102.

The memory 204 stores various information and data such as informationon settings for the folding cellular phone, telephone directoryinformation and received messages. Besides, according to the embodimentof the present invention, the memory 204 stores sender information foridentifying the sender of a call or a message on receipt of the call orthe message, priorities of received messages, specific keywords and thelike as setting information. The memory 204 also stores user settinginformation for controlling the opening/closing movement of the upperand lower units. The user setting information includes open/closepositions or rotation angles (angles formed between the upper and lowerunits) with respect to, for example, each sender or priorities ofreceived messages registered by a user.

The open/close switch 301 is located, for example, on the edge of thehinge unit 300. A user can open/close the upper unit 100 and the lowerunit 200 at the flip of the open/close switch 301. Normally, the motor203 serving as a hinge driving mechanism and other mechanisms bring thehinge unit 300 to open/close the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200when the open/close switch 301 is pushed or switched ON/OFF.

The motor 203 connected to the motor drive circuit 202 produces adriving force which is applied to an open/close mechanism (not shown) ofthe hinge unit 300 to open/close the upper unit 100 and the lower unit200. The motor drive circuit 202 drives the motor 203 in response toswitching operation by the open/close switch 301 or an instruction fromthe controller 201 at the time of reception. When a driving force isapplied to the open/close mechanism of the hinge unit 300, the hingeunit 300 opens/closes the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200. Inother words, the hinge unit 300 changes the relative positions of theupper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 (the angle formed between theupper and lower units) or the posture (open/closed condition) of thefolding cellular phone.

While the motor drive circuit 202 and the motor 203 are disposed insidethe lower unit 200 in FIG. 1, they may be set in the hinge unit 300.

The battery state detector 210 detects whether or not the battery 211 isbeing charged and/or the remaining amount of charge in the battery 211.The battery state may be detected in a well known manner.

In the case where the folding cellular phone is set in battery stateinforming mode, the controller 201 controls the motor drive circuit 202based on whether or not the battery 211 is being charged or theremaining amount of charge in the battery 211 detected by the batterystate detector 210 to thereby control the open/close operation of thehinge unit 300 driven by the motor 203.

In addition, in the case where the folding cellular phone is set inunacknowledged call informing mode, when an incoming call is notanswered or acknowledged, the controller 201 controls the motor drivecircuit 202 according to the number of unacknowledged calls (unattendedreceipt of calls) from the same sender during a prescribed period oftime so that the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 are located inprescribed relative positions (at a prescribed angle to each other).

With the above-described basic construction, in the folding cellularphone according to the embodiment of the present invention, the motordrive circuit 202 drives the motor 203 depending on informing modesunder the control of the controller 201 on receipt of a call or amessage. Consequently, a driving force is applied to the open/closemechanism of the hinge unit 300, and the unit 300 opens/closes (rotates)the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 to change the posture of thefolding cellular phone. Thus, a user can be informed of the receipt ofthe call or the message. The folding cellular phone may performconventional informing processes, such as ringing, light emitting,message or image display and the like, in combination with theopen/close or rotative operation.

In call/mail receive informing mode, the folding cellular phone of thisembodiment inform a user of the receipt of a call or a message byopening/closing the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 so that theyare located at a prescribed angle to each other based on the senderinformation and/or the received message information. That is, thefolding cellular phone varies the angle formed between the upper unit100 and the lower unit 200 according to senders and/or the types orcontents of received messages, which are identifiable by informationobtained from incoming calls or received messages. In other words, whenthe folding cellular phone receives a call from a specific sender, theupper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 are arranged to form an angleassociated with the sender therebetween. Besides, it is determinedwhether or not to change the angle formed between the upper unit 100 andthe lower unit 200 based on the detection of its placed condition by thelight sensors 104 and 209. Concretely, in the case where the foldingcellular phone is placed on a desk in closed condition (the upper unitforms an angle of 0° with the lower unit), when receiving a call from aspecific sender, the cellular phone informs a user of the receipt of thecall by opening the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 so that theyare located at a prescribed angle, for example, 90° to each other aswell as by a ringing tone and information display on the display 101.

FIG. 3 shows examples of open/close operation setting information forthe folding cellular phone in call/mail receive informing mode. Settinginformation, such as the open/close operation setting information shownin FIG. 3, for controlling the opening/closing or rotational movement ofthe upper and lower units on receipt of a call or a message ispreviously registered with the folding cellular phone of thisembodiment. Angles formed between the upper and lower units on receiptof respective calls or messages are determined as the open/closeoperation setting information. The folding cellular phone may beprovided with a prescribed setting interface for allowing a user to makethe open/close operation settings. In this case, the user registers theopen/close operation settings through the setting interface.

FIG. 3( a) is a table showing an association between the senderinformation and open/close positions (open/close angles). When receivinga call or a message from a sender included in this table (from a senderwho is identified as one of sender numbers “AAA-BBB-CCC” to“MMM-NNN-OOO”), the upper and lower units are opened/closed so that theyform the angle indicated by the open/close position associated with thesender to inform a user of the receipt of the call or the message.Besides, FIG. 3( b) is a table showing an association between thereceived message information and open/close positions (open/closeangles). Referring to the priority information of a received messagesuch as an e-mail message and associations between priorities (Lowest toHighest) and open/close positions shown in this table, the foldingcellular phone opens/closes the upper and lower units so that they formthe angle associated with the priority of the received message.According to the settings shown as an example in FIG. 3( b), the upperand lower units are arranged at a greater angle to each other whenreceiving a message having higher priority.

In FIG. 3, three types of open/close position (1), (2) and (1)′ aregiven in the tables. The open/close position (1), (2) and (1)′correspond to three types of motor drive control (1), (2) and (1)′ shownin the flowchart of FIG. 2, respectively. This is to vary open/closeoperation control according to the conditions of the folding cellularphone, such as the placed condition of the cellular phone detected bythe light sensors 104 and 209, answering condition (whether or not auser has answered a call) and the like.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the folding cellular phone illustratingexamples of open/close positions. In FIG. 4, angles formed between theupper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 are shown as the open/closepositions (1), (2) and (1)′.

The open/close positions for controlling the opening/closing movement ofthe upper and lower units may be set to arbitrary angles, or may beselected from predetermined patterns, as for example those shown in FIG.3.

There may be several methods for detecting the placed condition of thefolding cellular phone by sensors. For example, it is assumed that theupper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 are provided with the lightsensors 104 and 209, respectively, on their reverse surfaces exposed tooutside when the folding cellular phone is folded. In the case where thelight sensor 104 on the reverse of the upper unit 100 detects “light”,while the light sensor 209 on the reverse of the lower unit 200 detects“dark”, it may be determined that the folding cellular phone is placedon a substantially horizontal plane such as a desk or the like.

When the folding cellular phone is set in battery state informing mode,the battery state detector 210 detects whether or not the battery 211 isbeing charged and/or the remaining amount of charge in the battery 211.The controller 201 controls the motor drive circuit 202 based on thedetection result to control the open/close mechanism of the hinge unit300 driven by the motor 203. Thus, a user can be informed as to whetheror not the battery 211 is being charged and/or the remaining amount ofcharge in the battery 211.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the foldingcellular phone in battery state informing mode. FIG. 6 shows examples ofopen/close operation setting information for the folding cellular phonein battery state informing mode. Setting information, such as theopen/close operation setting information shown in FIG. 6, fordetermining the movement of the upper and lower units in the informingprocess is registered with the folding cellular phone in advance as incall/mail receive informing mode described previously in connection withFIG. 3. In FIG. 6, tree types of open/close position (3) to (5)correspond to three types of motor drive control (3) to (5) shown in theflowchart of FIG. 5, respectively.

In the case where the folding cellular phone is set in unacknowledgedcall informing mode, when an incoming call is not answered oracknowledged, the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 are arranged inprescribed relative positions according to the number of unacknowledgedcalls (unattended receipt of calls) from the same sender during aprescribed time period under the control of the controller 201. Thus, auser can be informed of the presence of unacknowledged calls and thenumber of unacknowledged calls.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the foldingcellular phone in unacknowledged call informing mode. FIG. 8 showsexamples of open/close operation setting information for the foldingcellular phone in unacknowledged call informing mode. Settinginformation, such as the open/close operation setting information shownin FIG. 8, for determining the movement of the upper and lower units inthe informing process is registered with the folding cellular phone inadvance as in call/mail receive informing mode described previously inconnection with FIG. 3. In FIG. 8, three types of open/close position(6) to (8) correspond to three types of motor drive control (6) to (8)shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, respectively.

Incidentally, the placed condition of the folding cellular phone may bedetected without using light sensors and without providing sensors onboth the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200.

In the following, a description will be made of the operation of thefolding cellular phone with a hinge driving mechanism in call/mailreceive informing mode referring to FIGS. 2 to 4.

In the folding cellular phone according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, first, the radio section 205 detects the receipt of a call ora message, and informs the controller 201 about the detection (stepS101, Yes). Next, the controller 201 checks, for example, the sendernumber of the call or the message as the sender information and/or thepriority of the message as the received message information (step S102).Subsequently, the controller 201 matches the information obtained fromthe received call or message with the registered sender informationand/or received message information (open/close operation settinginformation) stored in the memory 204 (step S103). When the informationobtained from the received call or message does not match any of, forexample, sender numbers (sender information) and/or priorities (receivedmessage information) stored in the memory 204, that is, when open/closeoperation is not required to inform a user of the receipt of the call orthe message from the sender (step S103, No), normal informing processesare performed. When the information obtained from the received call ormessage matches the sender information and/or received messageinformation stored in the memory 204, that is, when open/close operationis required to inform a user of the receipt of the call or the messagefrom the sender (step S103, Yes), the following motor drive control(open/close operation—informing control) process is carried out.

The light sensors 104 and 209 detect whether or not the folding cellularphone is placed on a substantially horizontal plane such as the top of adesk. Having determined to perform open/close operation—informingcontrol process by checking the sender/received message information, thecontroller 201 determines if it is possible or appropriate to open/closethe upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 based on the output of thelight sensors 104 and 209 (step S104). Thus, the type of motor drivecontrol is determined (open/close position (1) or (1)′ is selected)based on judgments about the sender/received message information and theplaced condition of the folding cellular phone made at steps S103 andS104. When the controller 201 has determined that the folding cellularphone is placed on a substantially horizontal plane such as a desk orthe like (step S104, Yes), motor drive control (1) is to be executed.When the controller 201 has determined that it is impossible orinappropriate to open/close the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200(step S104, No), motor drive control (1)′ is to be executed.

Depending on the selected open/close position (open/close position (1)or (1)′), the controller 201 controls the motor drive circuit 202 andthe motor 203 based on the setting information as shown in FIG. 3 sothat the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 are located in prescribedrelative positions or at a prescribed angle to each other (step S105 orS108). Besides, visual and acoustic informing processes are alsoperformed through the display 101 and the informing speaker 103. Thatis, the display 101 on the upper unit 100 displays the senderinformation or the like and the informing speaker 103 outputs the ringtone.

In the case where the folding cellular phone is placed on asubstantially horizontal plane such as a desk, and the user does notanswer or acknowledge the call (step S106, No), motor drive control (2)is to be executed. Accordingly, the controller 201 controls the motordrive circuit 202 and the motor 203 so that the upper unit 100 and thelower unit 200 are located in prescribed relative positions or at aprescribed angle (open/close position (2)) to each other (step S107).Thereby, it is possible to inform the user as to the presence of theunacknowledged call by the angle formed between the upper unit 100 andthe lower unit 200.

An example of open/close operation control will be explained referringto FIG. 4. When it is determined that the folding cellular phone isplaced on a desk in closed condition and motor drive control (1) isexecuted, the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 are opened so as tobe at an angle of about 90° (open/close position (1)) to each other.When the folding cellular phone is not placed on a desk and motor drivecontrol (1)′ is executed, the upper and lower units are arranged at anangle of from 0° to 10° (open/close position (1)′) to each other. Afterthe upper and lower units are opened at an angle of about 90°(open/close position (1)) to each other, in the case where the user hasnot answered the call and motor drive control (2) is executed, the upperand lower units are closed so as to be at an angle of about 60°(open/close position (2)) to each other to inform the user about theunanswered call.

In the following, a description will be made of the operation of thefolding cellular phone with a hinge driving mechanism in battery stateinforming mode referring to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In the folding cellular phone according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, first, the radio section 205 detects the receipt of a call ora message, and informs the controller 201 about the detection (stepS201, Yes). Next, the controller 201 checks, for example, the sendernumber of the call or the message as the sender information and/or thepriority of the message as the received message information (step S202).Subsequently, the controller 201 matches the information obtained fromthe received call or message with the registered sender informationand/or received message information (open/close operation settinginformation) stored in the memory 204 (step S203).

When the information obtained from the received call or message does notmatch any of, for example, sender numbers (sender information) and/orpriorities (received message information) stored in the memory 204, thatis, when open/close operation is not required to inform a user of thereceipt of the call or the message from the sender (step S203, No),normal informing processes are performed. When the information obtainedfrom the received call or message matches the sender information and/orreceived message information stored in the memory 204, that is, whenopen/close operation is required to inform a user of the receipt of thecall or the message from the sender (step S203, Yes), the followingmotor drive control (open/close operation—informing control) process iscarried out.

The battery state detector 210 detects whether or not the battery 211 isbeing charged and/or the remaining amount of charge in the battery 211.Having determined to perform open/close operation—informing controlprocess by checking the sender/received message information, thecontroller 201 determines whether or not the battery 211 is beingcharged based on the detection result or output from the battery statedetector 210 (step S204). When the battery 211 is not being charged, thecontroller 201 compares the remaining amount of charge in the battery211 with a predetermined value for judging whether it is possible orappropriate to open/close the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200(step S208).

Thus, the type of motor drive control is determined (open/close position(3) or (5) is selected) based on judgments about the sender/receivedmessage information and the battery state made at steps S203, S204 andS208.

Depending on the selected open/close position (open/close position (3)or (5)), the controller 201 controls the motor drive circuit 202 and themotor 203 (step S205 or S209).

In the case where the battery 211 of the folding cellular phone is beingcharged (step S204, Yes), and the user does not answer or acknowledgethe call (step S206, No), motor drive control (4) is to be executed.Accordingly, the controller 201 controls the motor drive circuit 202 andthe motor 203 so that the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 arelocated in prescribed relative positions or at a prescribed angle(open/close position (4)) to each other (step S207). Thereby, it ispossible to inform the user as to the presence of the unacknowledgedcall by the angle formed between the upper and lower units.

In the following, a description will be made of the operation of thefolding cellular phone with a hinge driving mechanism in unacknowledgedcall informing mode referring to FIGS. 7 and 8.

In the folding cellular phone according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, first, the radio section 205 detects the receipt of a call,and informs the controller 201 about the detection (step S301, Yes).Next, the controller 201 checks, for example, the sender number of thecall as the sender information (step S302), and matches the senderinformation obtained from the received call with the registered senderinformation stored in the memory 204 (step S303).

When the information obtained from the received call does not match anyof, for example, sender numbers (sender information) stored in thememory 204, that is, when open/close operation is not required to informa user of the receipt of the call from the sender (step S303, No),normal informing processes are performed. When the information obtainedfrom the received call matches the sender information stored in thememory 204, that is, when open/close operation is required to inform auser of the receipt of the call from the sender (step S303, Yes), thecontroller 201 determines whether or not the last call within, forexample, 6 hours was an unacknowledged call based on an incoming callhistory stored in the memory 204. When the last call was anunacknowledged call (step 304, Yes), the following motor drive control(open/close operation—informing control) process is carried out.

When the last call was an unacknowledged call, the number ofunacknowledged calls from the same sender during a prescribed timeperiod (e.g. 6 hours) is counted with reference to the incoming callhistory stored in the memory 204 (step S305). In FIG. 7, when the numberof unacknowledged calls is less than 3, motor drive control (6) is to beexecuted. On the other hand, when there are 3 or more unacknowledgedcalls, motor drive control (7) is to be executed (steps S306 and S307).

Additionally, in the case where the user does not answer the call atstep S307 (step S308, No), motor drive control (8) is to be executed.Accordingly, the controller 201 controls the motor drive circuit 202 andthe motor 203 so that the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 arelocated in prescribed relative positions or at a prescribed angle(open/close position (8)) to each other (step S309). Thereby, it ispossible to inform the user as to the presence of the unacknowledgedcall by the angle formed between the upper and lower units.

While the number of unacknowledged calls or the threshold thatdetermines the type of motor drive control is 3 in FIG. 7, the user mayset an arbitrary number as the threshold.

Besides, the time for counting the number of unacknowledged calls from aspecific sender is not limited to 6 hours, and the user may set anarbitrary period of time as the count time.

In the above-mentioned informing operation of the folding cellular phonein each informing mode, the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 justmove into prescribed relative positions so as to be opened/closed at aprescribed angle to each other according to setting information, andstay therein. However, the upper and lower units may be repeatedlyopened/closed or rotated prescribed degrees back and forth at prescribedintervals during the informing period.

Further, the received message information detected by the foldingcellular phone is not limited to the priorities of received messages.The received message information may be previously specified keywordscontained in mail addresses of senders, messages and/or titles ofmessages. In this case, open/close operation can be controlled accordingto the keywords.

In the above-described embodiment, the placed condition of the cellularphone is detected by sensors, and open/close operation is performedbased on the detection result. However, a user may also switch betweennormal mode and mode for performing open/close operation by prescribedinput. This allows a user to place the folding cellular phone on a deskor the like as needed and switch modes from normal mode to mode forperforming open/close operation by the input.

The folding cellular phone may further include a function for stoppingopen/close operation when detecting a prescribed reactive force whichcause an obstruction to the opening/closing movement of the upper andlower units. With this function, it is possible to prevent an undesiredfailure and a malfunction due to such obstruction.

While the folding cellular phone is taken as an example in theabove-described embodiment, the present invention can be applied togeneral portable information terminal equipment, such as PDA (PersonalDigital Assistant), which is provided with a radio communicationfunction and comprised of upper and lower units rotatably coupled to oneanother by a connecting section driven by a connecting section drivingmechanism.

For example, the present invention is applicable to a sliding cellularphone as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 in similar fashion.

FIG. 9 is an exterior view of a sliding cellular phone with its upperunit 400 and lower unit 500 being open. FIG. 10 is an exterior view ofthe sliding cellular phone in closed condition.

The sliding cellular phone is provided with a slide structure 600including slide parts 610 set on the sides of the upper unit 400 andslide rails 620 set on the sides of the lower unit 500 in slidingengagement with the slide parts 610. The upper unit 400 and the lowerunit 500 are slidably connected to each other by the slide structure600.

FIG. 11 shows examples of open/close operation setting information forthe sliding cellular phone in call/mail receive informing mode. In thecase where the present invention is applied to the sliding cellularphone, open/close positions registered as setting information are set bythe distance that the upper unit 400 or lower unit 500 is to be moved asshown in FIG. 11.

When receiving a call or a message, a controller controls a motor toslide the slide parts 610 along the slide rails 620 a predetermineddistance so that the upper unit 400 and the lower unit 500 are arrangedin prescribed relative positions. Thereby, a user can be informed of thereceipt of the call or the message.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the sliding cellular phone showing examples ofopen/close positions in the sliding movements.

Besides, the present invention is applicable to a turning cellular phoneas shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 in similar fashion.

FIG. 13 is an exterior view of a turning cellular phone in opencondition. FIG. 14 is an exterior view of the turning cellular phone inclosed condition.

The turning cellular phone comprises an upper unit 700, a lower unit 800and a rotative connector 900 that rotatably supports the upper unit 700and lower unit 800 on a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to adisplay surface. The upper unit 700 and the lower unit 800 are rotatablyconnected to each other by the rotative connector 900.

FIG. 15 shows examples of open/close operation setting information forthe turning cellular phone in call/mail receive informing mode. In thecase where the present invention is applied to the turning cellularphone, open/close positions registered as setting information areprovided by the angle formed between the upper unit 700 and the lowerunit 800 when they are rotated on the axis substantially perpendicularto a display surface.

When receiving a call or a message, a controller controls a motor torotate the upper unit 700 and/or the lower unit 800 on the rotativeconnector 900 so that they are located at a prescribed angle to eachother. Thereby, a user can be informed of the receipt of the call or themessage.

FIG. 16 is an overhead view of the turning cellular phone showingexamples of open/close positions in the rotational movements.

While the present invention has been described with reference to theparticular illustrative embodiment, it is not to be restricted by theembodiment but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated thatthose skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiment withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

1. Portable information terminal equipment comprising: upper and lowerunits coupled to one another by a hinge unit; a hinge driving mechanismfor changing the relative positions of the upper and lower units byrotating either or both the units; and a controller for controlling thehinge driving mechanism to rotate either or both the units from a firstrelative position to a relative position at a prescribed angle to eachother when receiving a call or a message to thereby inform a user of thereceipt of the call or the message.
 2. The portable information terminalequipment claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller provides open/closeoperation control so that the upper and lower units are located at aprescribed angle to each other when an incoming call is notacknowledged.
 3. The portable information terminal equipment claimed inclaim 2, further comprising a detector for detecting the placedcondition of the equipment, wherein: the controller provides open/closeoperation control based on the placed condition of the equipmentdetected by the detector.
 4. The portable information terminal equipmentclaimed in claim 3, further comprising a setting interface forregistering user settings with respect to open/close positionsassociated with the sender information and/or received messageinformation, wherein: the controller controls the hinge drivingmechanism in a manner so as to change the angle formed between the upperand lower units when receiving a call or a message based on the usersettings.
 5. The portable information terminal equipment claimed inclaim 3, wherein the upper and lower units repeatedly open/close atprescribed intervals under the control of the controller.
 6. Theportable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, furthercomprising a setting interface for registering user settings withrespect to open/close positions associated with the sender informationand/or received message information, wherein: the controller controlsthe hinge driving mechanism in a manner so as to change the angle formedbetween the upper and lower units when receiving a call or a messagebased on the user settings.
 7. The portable information terminalequipment claimed in claim 2, wherein the upper and lower unitsrepeatedly open/close at prescribed intervals under the control of thecontroller.
 8. The portable information terminal equipment claimed inclaim 1, further comprising a detector for detecting the placedcondition of the equipment, wherein: the controller provides open/closeoperation control based on the placed condition of the equipmentdetected by the detector.
 9. The portable information terminal equipmentclaimed in claim 8, further comprising a setting interface forregistering user settings with respect to open/close positionsassociated with the sender information and/or received messageinformation, wherein: the controller controls the hinge drivingmechanism in a manner so as to change the angle formed between the upperand lower units when receiving a call or a message based on the usersettings.
 10. The portable information terminal equipment claimed inclaim 8, wherein the upper and lower units repeatedly open/close atprescribed intervals under the control of the controller.
 11. Theportable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 1, wherein theupper and lower units repeatedly open/close at prescribed intervalsunder the control of the controller.
 12. Portable information terminalequipment comprising: upper and lower units coupled to one another by ahinge unit; a hinge driving mechanism for changing the relativepositions of the upper and lower units by rotating either or both theunits; and a controller for controlling the hinge driving mechanism torotate either or both the units from a first relative position to arelative position at a prescribed angle to each other when receiving acall or a message based on information about the sender of the call orthe message and/or the received message to thereby inform a user of thereceipt of the call or the message.
 13. The portable informationterminal equipment claimed in claim 12, wherein the controller providesopen/close operation control so that the upper and lower units arelocated at a prescribed angle to each other when an incoming call is notacknowledged.
 14. The portable information terminal equipment claimed inclaim 13, further comprising a detector for detecting the placedcondition of the equipment, wherein: the controller provides open/closeoperation control based on the placed condition of the equipmentdetected by the detector.
 15. The portable information terminalequipment claimed in claim 14, further comprising a setting interfacefor registering user settings with respect to open/close positionsassociated with the sender information and/or received messageinformation, wherein: the controller controls the hinge drivingmechanism in a manner so as to change the angle formed between the upperand lower units when receiving a call or a message based on the usersettings.
 16. The portable information terminal equipment claimed inclaim 14, wherein the upper and lower units repeatedly open/close atprescribed intervals under the control of the controller.
 17. Theportable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 13, furthercomprising a setting interface for registering user settings withrespect to open/close positions associated with the sender informationand/or received message information, wherein: the controller controlsthe hinge driving mechanism in a manner so as to change the angle formedbetween the upper and lower units when receiving a call or a messagebased on the user settings.
 18. The portable information terminalequipment claimed in claim 13, wherein the upper and lower unitsrepeatedly open/close at prescribed intervals under the control of thecontroller.
 19. The portable information terminal equipment claimed inclaim 12, further comprising a detector for detecting the placedcondition of the equipment, wherein: the controller provides open/closeoperation control based on the placed condition of the equipmentdetected by the detector.
 20. The portable information terminalequipment claimed in claim 19, further comprising a setting interfacefor registering user settings with respect to open/close positionsassociated with the sender information and/or received messageinformation, wherein: the controller controls the hinge drivingmechanism in a manner so as to change the angle formed between the upperand lower units when receiving a call or a message based on the usersettings.
 21. The portable information terminal equipment claimed inclaim 19, wherein the upper and lower units repeatedly open/close atprescribed intervals under the control of the controller.
 22. Theportable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 12, furthercomprising a setting interface for registering user settings withrespect to open/close positions associated with the sender informationand/or received message information, wherein: the controller controlsthe hinge driving mechanism in a manner so as to change the angle formedbetween the upper and lower units when receiving a call or a messagebased on the user settings.
 23. The portable information terminalequipment claimed in claim 22, wherein the upper and lower unitsrepeatedly open/close at prescribed intervals under the control of thecontroller.
 24. The portable information terminal equipment claimed inclaim 12, wherein the upper and lower units repeatedly open/close atprescribed intervals under the control of the controller.